By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The Meghalaya Right to Information Movement (MRTIM) would be holding a public hearing on the RTI findings relating to the activities of the cement plants based in Jaintia Hills district at Don Bosco Youth Centre on Thursday at 11 am.
The public hearing comes at the time when the Government is under serious scanner after the High Level Committee (HLC) in its report revealed that the cement plants in Jaintia Hills are carrying out mining of limestone in ‘thick forest areas’ which is in clear violation of the Forest Conservation Act, 1980.
“We invite official representatives from the Meghalaya Forest department, Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board, Meghalaya Directorate of Minerals and Resources, Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council, all cement companies, interested citizen and non-governmental organisation to attend the hearing,” MRTIM convener Michael N Syiem said in a statement issued on Tuesday.
While admitting that the issue of alleged encroachment by the cement plants in Jaintia Hills into forest areas is a serious matter, Forest and Environment Minister Prestone Tynsong, had on Monday, said that the Government would not hesitate to take action against the cement plants if they are found to operate in forest lands.